Hi Teaticket,
Compliments on planning ahead - amazing how many "need someone tomorrow" appear. But "April/May" is something I could plan for - let's hope anyway.
That said, I do have a
blue water experience, 5K nm spread over six different trips since '15, incl both Pacific (Chipas to Panama canal) and Atlantic (BVI to
Bermuda to Annapolis), as well as
BVI & coastal.
ASA through 105 and
ICC certs and will contribute $, as well as wash dishes and can even cook (as long as you're either very brave or very hungry - do I need add the slightly warped sense of
humor?

).
To comment on the trip, I wasn't sure if you were looking for one person for the duration, and maybe the other fellow had that in mind, but my impression is a trip as long as the one you describe might accommodate some crew joining only for more limited engagements. I only know I can't spend the sufficient time to get you to the
Canal from NC. Took us a month to get to the
Canal from
Mexico a few years back. I also know they'd like to have four on
deck to manage the lines in the Canal, but you can hire locals of course, if needed. So I would be interested to join for a portion of the trip, perhaps the Canal bit. Speaking of that, have you thought about a bit of exploring the San Blas Islands before transiting the Canal? I hear good things about stopping there, I hear they even use coconuts as currency - talk about being off the grid.
Cheers in any case, and may you find fair winds. (feel free to PM me).